The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-09-25

compelled to. sell, and to sec his heirloom pass
Into the hands Of some moro fortunate millions
dispense. with. nearly the same routine, the hos.
Pitalities OF his predecessors during, the short
STRIKING GONDOLIERS.
How they Compelled submIssisu from his
Honor. the Mayor OF Venice.
VENICE, Sept. 15.-Modern progress has
fallen upon Venice. This dreamy old city. ris-
ing from the sea. Is doomed. Five years
have brought changes enough to mako
the Doges step from their sculptured tombs
and protest against the new influences thrust
upon the once great Queen Of the Adristic."
The latest and most un-venetian calamity 10
the strike" Of the gondoliers. II was an
eight.day strike. and nothing else In tho world
could have happenedto prove so conclusively
that Venice. without the gondola, would not be
Venice or course It was all about the little
steamboats, that 60 putting up and down the
Grand Canal. the whole length. for two cents.
Venice In good health was never before so
depressed. The whole situation was curious.
and study. 1t was the more interesting be-
cause the Queen. who is so beloved by all
Italians. was here. and tho young Prince Of
Naples, her son and future King OF Italy. It
visit and In the height Of the bathing season
when the city is always most crowded. Tho
customary dinner given by tho Sindaco. or
Mayor. to the gondoliers was given on Sat-
| urday evening: Apparently everything was
satisfactory. The 9ondoliers, some 200 or 800.
| disposed Of the Sindacos banquet, and the oc-
| casion was merry feast. Tho city was full OF
| life and joy and not the slightest sign any
| where betrayed or betokened the blow to be
| struck by the gondoliers at midnight. At that
| hour, when the bronze giants Of La Tore deli
| Orologio. In st. Marks square. struck twelve
| on the big bell with their hammers, the Vene-
tian gondoliers struck" for their rights
| against the steamers.
There was quiet firmness and dignity about
the whole performance that was unexpected
and admirable. Nobody knew how. whom or
| where the strike had been perfected. OF
course. though noiseless. 1t camo upon tho
| Sindaco and the Municipio like q bomb. Inn
medlately there was call for extra troops,
| and In less than twenty-iour hours the Ducal
Palace court. was full Of soldiers in readiness
gondoliers. But they were not needed: The
went az Hn bss s sp
! They had been crowded to the wall By the
| steamers; In other words, the YdporeM SER
In 1883. that now there were night Boats az
| we'll as day. and the landings on the Grand
was the added steamer service to the railroad
station. The steamers arc controlled By .
tbs nss G sSPf g d.
that the rapid movement q the. steamers
canal Gondolas in passing are tossed about
ke feathers and this is FSs IN the Least
se NO the 81
the gondolierss demands.
Everybody watched the situation. and the
city on aa the first day and haadreds. il not
hsg Of the &
IN Venice was bad enough mo- but many also
Grand Canal could hardly have looked moro
IN ne tho the
HSs haa T ps s s SR hs
shrill whistle and wheezy breathing. In the
side canals there were long rows OF gondolas
Never before ala lie yenetians 90 SO much
muse ase The th2estesins altitude Of the Eon
dollers stopped the steamers night service to
Ta SsS s,Sen and psGps going
service. They knew nothing about manaaine
Everybody wondered what the gondoliers
would do when the Queen departed. On her
10 the
sight worth q, sssng and is only second to the
le fhe Queen was to leave at 8 in the evening.
Hall an hour earlier the people began to gather
acn a the way were dsskes With days q al
nations; as most Of the foreign copsulates arc
s ess
fpll uniform. Several A%ericans had hired
perhaps. were In waiting for the Queen and
the little bridge. Then a great cheer went up
reotion: and. like magic. hundreds Of gondolas
suddenly appeared and Joined the escort They
es es
showing their usual respect and loyalty for
her gss a III ss .eao s
well. She smiled again and again. and bowed
else h " The Prince Of Naples. Who is now Is. sat
fellow, very blond, like his mother. with blue
aRd Of sha fee
like the Kings.
The strikers and their empty gondolas es-
corted the Queen to tho station. cheering all
the way. It was said that the Slndaco did not
approve. but he, wisely enough. did not inter-
too, They spread themselves over the canal.
and the steamers had TO clear the track. After
the Queens departure the Gondoliers returned,
quietly dispersed. and the strike went on five
days longer.
Nobody believed the ,gondoliers would or
broad for their families. II was a loss OF many
thousands OF dollars TO the city. Hotels thinned
ont. and the proprietors were desperate. Fin
ally the Sindnco promised TO comply with the
demands OF tho .gondoliers. But they, would
ron until the concession was put In writing
and subscribed. Then the gondolas swsrmod
in the canals once moro. and Venice was her.
self again.
He Knew Better than 10 CIaia Il
FROM ms San FrdHeSeo ChroRiete.
There were about half dozen OF them and